Felicity Carrol and the Murderous Menace: A Felicity Carrol Mystery
By: Patricia Marcantonio
Rating: 4 of 5
I will start by saying that the characters in this book are way over the top. They are almost too much to be believed. At first, I was put off by it but then, I realized that it was meant to be that way.
I took it as a book that was like the first black and white movies, where the good guys were really good and the bad ones were horrible. Once I started looking at it from that point of view, I was able to relax and enjoy it as a bit of comedy mixed in with an interesting mystery.
Felicity is rich and incredibly smart. Maybe the smartest person you will ever meet (see what I mean?) She is pulled away from her home in England to look into murders which have occurred in Placer, Montana.
Look for stereotypes of regional areas of the United States at the turn of the late 19th century (though honestly, some of the phrases are more appropriately used in the deep South and the far West states versus the mid-country northern state of Montana.
Beyond that, the idea floated that Jack the Ripper changed venue was interesting and new to me. The murders, both old and new, are told in fairly graphic detail. So, this may not be for the squeamish.
The hunt and partnership that emerged was done well. I enjoyed finding the clues as Felicity did.
All in all, I found it a good read. I will be looking forward to more books in this series. Just suspend reality and be willing to overlook some anachronisms and it might be something you enjoy as well.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
I will start by saying that the characters in this book are way over the top. They are almost too much to be believed. At first, I was put off by it but then, I realized that it was meant to be that way.